The talks comprising of regional economic communities from the African continent started in Lusaka, the Zambian capital.
Key areas during the two day talks include focus on infrastructure, industrialization, commodities and trade, agro processing sector, mobility and free movement of people, continental free trade area, skill and youth unemployment, gender equality and peace as well as security and governance.
AU Deputy Chair Erastus Mwencha said at the start of the talks that the low level of integration and transformation were the most critical issues facing the continent.
“Until we deal with those two points, we are in a vicious circle, going through cyclical ups and downs and creating more hurdles in the way of our African economic development,” he said.
Zambia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba said in his remarks that in order for national strategies for economic transformation to be pursued successfully, it is vital that they are complemented by strong regional policies.
Agenda 2063 present landmark undertakings which if implemented to the full potential will positively influence the future of our continent, he added.
Agenda 2063 is a vision embraced by African leaders during their 50th anniversary summit which envisages long term development trajectory for the next 50 years. Enditem
Source: Xinhua
